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Monday, June 30, 2014

I love books! I love challenges! I love games! What better way to combine all of these things than Bookish Bingo hosted by Great Imaginations? This is a great new three month challenge and every three months there will be a new card. Make sure you sign up by April 9th so you don't miss out, and remember that one book can only count for one square.

Rules:

Sign-ups close on April 9th.

All reading and reviewing must fall between April 1st and June 30th.

One square per book. For instance, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater is both the first in a series, and a YA book, but it can only count for one square.

Extra entries can be earned with multiple bingos or by filling out the whole card!

Head on over to Great Imaginations if you want to participate!

Right here is where I will be keeping my progress, and I will do a monthly update of this challenge as well as any others. I will make a list of all the ones that I complete.Remnants Season of Wonder by Lisa Tawn Bergren - Strong parent child relationshipsA Beauty So Rare by Tamara Alexander - About plants or wilderness (while not completely about plants, they were an important part of the novel)Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg - Set in High School

I had a lot of fun with Bookish Bingo, and made one Bingo and filled 17/25 of the squares within the last three months! Click on the title of the book to see the review, and please let me know if I forgot to include anything, or got them mixed up.

Did you participate in Bookish Bingo or have you read any books that qualify on the board?

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.This week I went to Myrtle Beach with my parents and sister! So much fun!

Our vacation was short but sweet , we got there on Thursday and came back on Sunday. We did a ton of wave jumping on both calm and slightly rough waves! While wave jumping Friday I saw a porpoise jump once, and Saturday I saw a dolphin jump twice! Then Saturday night after we had all went for a walk on the beach, my dad and I went for another walk, and some guy had seen and picked up a baby shark about 10 inches long, and we got to touch it - cool right?! Or scary? Take your pick. It felt like cartilage the bottom part of an earlobe, that is what they are made of after all, and it was wet, cool, and slick. It had little teeth and a cute fin too! Luckily (for the shark) he released it back into the water. I just wish I would have had my cellphone with me to take a picture!

I love dolphins - they are my favorite sea animal!

I did a little bit of research on baby sharks when I got back to the hotel, because after thinking how cool seeing the baby shark was, I thought "oh no, I hope mommy shark isn't close by!" But I found out that sharks abandon their babies as soon as they are born. So sad:( They are "fully prepared to take care of themselves," but still:( Sharks can also be hatched from eggs or birthed like humans.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Stuck Together Goodreads Summary
Tina Cahill, newly arrived from the East, is determined to get the saloon in Broken Wheel, Texas, closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. Not his tyrant of a father. Nor the injuries he suffered in the Civil War. Nor the fact that he is Broken Wheel's only attorney and sheriff yet has no law degree.

But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is suffering signs of dementia. And his surprise sister immediately falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince has a lot of people to take care of, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them. But with almost all the other men in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with feisty Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

My Review
I have read books by Mary Connealy before, but this is the first one in this series that I have read (I know that's weird considering it's the last in this series). Connealy can always be counted on for humor and witty, strong, and determined characters that show the spirit of the true old west!

Tina definitely fits that bill. With her fiery spirit and sassy attitude, she is a force to be reckoned with, yet she also has a kind and compassionate side that finds its way to the top at times. I admired her determination and strength to stand up for what she believed in and mask her true feelings.

Vince did an admirable job of being a true western hero. With the nickname of Invincible Vince nothing can stop him - at least not until his tyrant father, ill mother, and unknown sister show up in town, not to mention "spitfire Tina and the unwanted job of sheriff." But will his fear of becoming like his parents keep him from loving Tina?

I loved how the whole town helped watch out for Vince's mother, Virginia Belle, and how the regulators and their families stuck together and hadsuch a wonderful bond of friendship.

For you action lovers, there's a little of that too, starting from the first few pages! As Vince and Tina deal with their issues, can they learn to hand them over to God and trust in Him? This book can stand alone, but it would probably be best to read them in order.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, though I was not required to review it. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Meant to be MineGoodreads Summary
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider; he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

My Review
I'm going to be honest and say that all of the positive reviews of this book were what really made me want to read it and that I wasn't expecting to like it, especially not as much as I did. I loved it! It reminded me of a Hallmark movie (my favorite kind of movie)!

I will say that their marriage in Las Vegas was not the smartest move, at all. I was kind of surprised and hope I never ever do anything like that, but God had plans for them.

I actually found this book - the characters, the witty banter, the circumstances - all of it, entertaining, and I was rooting for Ty and Celia all the way.

First of all, I would like to say that Addy was adorable, and extremely smart! She added so much to the book with the stories that were told, her love of princesses, and her without a doubt immediate love and trust in Ty.

I felt bad for Celia. She had given up on her dreams, love, and her whole life revolved around her daughter Addie. Then Ty shows up after all those years, and tilts her whole world. I really liked her determination, sassy attitude, stubbornness, and care for Addie.

I will admit that at first I really didn't like. Ty. At. All. I thought him a lot of things, but he proved himself different and changed, and actually made me feel bad for him at times. Even though Ty had lived a life of achieving his dreams, it wasn't enough and something was missing. Then he found Celia again and realized he had a daughter, but could he prove to her that she could trust him and that he loved her?

Celia and Ty were so witty and adorable, there was an undeniable attraction between them! I loved their banter!

What really made this book special was the beautiful messages of faith, forgiveness, trust, and family. Both Celia and Ty had drifted away from God. They were both struggling with things. God had a plan to lead them both back to him, and to each other! While it wasn't the easiest rode ever walked down, it was entertaining to read as well as moving. As they learn to trust in God, can they learn to forgive themselves and/or each other, and trust each other again?

I also loved the sense of family, and how they were so willing to do everything they could to help each other out!

While this is the first book I have read by Becky Wade, it definitely won't be the last! I have the first book in this series, and have been wanting to read it for a while. I only read this one first (out of order), because I need to read all of my review books first! It was nice to meet Meg and Bo before I read their story - it makes me know I'll like it! This book made me laugh out loud, think, and realize once again how awesome God is!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, though I was not required to review it. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Future Savior Book Three: EvacuationGoodreads Summary
Faith… it seems to be revolving around everything I do and it is a hard lesson to learn. I have to have faith that I can save my brother. I have to have faith that my friends scattered all over Meric will survive. I have to have faith that all of Shaw's secrets are coming to an end. I even have to have faith in my own abilities.

The evil tyrant Leticia has sent out her dark priest Neamiah to persuade the people of Meric that she is god. The people must take her mark or die. My greatest test of faith lies ahead… I have to prove to the people of Meric that Leticia's claim to lordship is false and that the Creator is the real God.

My Review
Jennifer Hartz has done it again! So far Evacuation (the third book in her Future Savior series) is my favorite of the three. I loved it!

This book will definitely keep you turning pages, enthralling readers in the world of Meric and the dilemmas that came at Christina and her friends from all sides. I really liked that we knew what was happening with everyone, and once again it was so easy to feel as if I were the main character.

In Evacuation a lot of things are discovered and uncovered. I loved learning about Shaws past - really wonderful and part of it very unexpected. No secret left hidden (I think)! This guy just keeps growing on me!

I was very happy to know that what I loved most about the first two books in this series was also present in this one - the Bible parallels were here to, and just as wonderful as ever! So was the witty banter and humor, the friendship, descriptions, and more.

I also loved seeing Christina's faith grow and her trust in the true Savior strengthen.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things that we choose for the topic of the week.

Topic: Top Ten Cover Trends I Like/Dislike I love it when a cover catches my eye and makes me want to read it! Of course I only read it if it sounds like something I might like.Of course there may be exceptions to these, (sorry I don't have cover pictures this week) but generally

I LikeCovers showing pretty settingsCovers showing main character(s) and pretty dressesCovers with pretty color schemes and black and white with a pretty colored titleCovers with two different pictures (top and bottom or left to right)Covers with a artsy or unique lookWhen covers have a meaning/go with the storyCovers that are eye catchingI DislikeCovers with kissing (it's annoying and I don't want to read something like that around other people because they might assume it was an inappropriate book when it's not)Covers that have nothing to do with the book (it's kind of annoying after I read it)When covers of a book changeWhat draws you to a book? What repels you from a book?

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Wonderous Reviews is now on Twitter, as well! Check it out! I'll try to tweet about the books I'm reading and leave a link to all of my reviews and posts. Not sure if I like Twitter yet, but we'll see where it goes!

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where you show what books you got during the week.
I spent this week in Tennessee and had so much fun! They have a Book Warehouse there that we always have to go to, and seeing as how I'm addicted to books, I bought 16 of them! If you think that's a lot, you should have seen how many my Grandma bought!

They had a great selection of Christian Fiction, and they were cheaper then buying them on line or at Barnes and Nobles.

Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser

Lady Annes Quest by Susan Page Davis

Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist

They also had what my sister called the "Crazy Library,"which was a basement filled with books. They had a deal where you could fill up a whole basket for only $30, but I'm book picky and honestly found myself unable to do that (I definitely could have done that with the upstairs books!). So the sign said that you also get 4 books for $5, but I must have miss read that or the sales person was wrong (and I was to afraid to say anything) so I had to pay $20 for these books instead of $10.

From top to bottom

My Perfect Life and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Cyber Cinderella ny Christina Hopkinson

Decorating Schemes by Ginny Aiken

and Fodor's Europe's Greatest Cities (I was having a hard time finding another one, for once in my life)

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.
I didn't have many posts this week, because I was in Tennessee, and didn't have time to schedule a bunch of posts. We had a lot fun seeing shows, swimming, shopping, and going to Dollywood! I also got to do a lot of reading in the car and at night at the hotel, plus I bought a bunch of books so my Stacking the Shelves post will be super full!Reviews Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things that we choose for the topic of the week.

Topic: Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR ListThere are a ton more books that are on my Summer TBR List, but here's a sampling! (I'm going to make all of these different from my beach reads). I'm also going to have two lists YA and Christian fiction!

Christian Fiction

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Future Saviors Series by Jennifer Hartz (books 3,4,and 5)

Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

At Every Turn by anne Mateer

Stuck Together by Mary Conneally

Meant to be Mine by Becky Wade

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

YA

The Grass is Always Greener by Jen Calonita

Luminary by Krista McGee

Golden by Jessi Kirby

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Missing Lily by Annette K. Larson

My Faire Lady by Laura Wettersten

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

The Elite by Kiera Cass

United We Spy by Ally Carter

The Romeo Club by Rebekah L. Purdy

Heroes of the Horde by Jennifer Hartz (rest of series)

What books do you want to read this summer? Have you read any of these books, or have any to recommend?

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Full Steam Ahead Goodreads Summary
When Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston from an eastern finishing school, she's stunned to find her father in ill health. Though she loves him, he's only ever focused on what she's "not." Not male. Not married. Not able to run their family business, Renard Shipping.

Vowing to secure a suitable marriage partner, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure: a dagger personally gifted to Nicole's father by the pirate Jean Lafitte. Many believe the legend that the dagger is the source of all Renard Shipping's good fortune, though Nicole is sure her father's work ethic and honorable business practices are the keys to their success. Before she can board the steamer to New Orleans, Nicole finds her father's rivals—the Jenkins brothers—on either side of the gangplank, ready to grab her and steal the dagger. Quickly, she decides to instead travel north, to Liberty, Texas, where she can decide what to do next.

Darius Thornton needs a secretary—someone to help him get his notes in order. Ever since the boiler explosion aboard the "Louisiana," Darius has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. The pretty young socialite who applies for the job baffles him with her knowledge of mathematics and steamships. He decides to take a risk and hire her, but he's determined her attractive face and fancy clothes won't distract him from his important research.

The job offer comes at exactly the right time for Nicole. With what Darius is paying her, she'll be able to afford passage to New Orleans in mere weeks. But Mr. Thornton is so reclusive, so distant, so unusual. He can create complex scientific equations but can't remember to comb his hair. And his experiments are growing more and more dangerous. Still, there are undeniable sparks of attraction between them. But Nicole is leaving soon, and if she marries, it must be to a man who can manage a shipping empire. Darius certainly doesn't fit that description. And the Jenkins brothers have not given up on kidnapping Nicole and seizing the Lafitte dagger for themselves.

My Review
I fell for Karen Witemeyers writing after reading Stealing the Preacher and then Tailor Made Bride. They both had such great writing, wit, and messages! I was excited to receive a free copy of her new release Full Steam Ahead, and I loved it!

Full steam ahead took me to a time in our countries past, and I loved it! It was full of wonderful characters that worm their way into the readers heart. Nicole Renard is the adventurous daughter of a pirate (sort of). I loved how adventurous, feisty, and determined she was to keep her family safe, her fantastic abilities that were not at all common for girls to have at that time - knife throwing, even carrying a knife, mathematics, etc.- her warm heart, strength, and faith. She could see right past her employers tough exterior from the beginning and dug a hole in it allowing it to slowly dissipate! Darius sigh! I loved his determination to find a way to improve steamship safety to save innocent lives from being taken by explosions. His kind heart, change in attitude, etc., were all wonderful qualities. The romance was perfect, clean and able to make a person swoon!

The other characters in the book were also well rounded and important. From Nicole's family to the staff, everyone added to the richness of the book.

The humor and witty banter were amazing! It kept a smile or smirk on my face or a little laugh, for almost the whole book!

I also enjoyed the historical accuracy, but I do like me some historical! Not only was I entertained, but I learned about steamships and the time period.

I loved the message of trusting in The Lord to provide a way through seemingly impossible circumstances, and letting things go. Everything that Nicole and Darius learned along the way is so important for everyone to know, and I am always impressed with how well authors seem to express these things in such wonderful ways!

This book contains a smart and adventurous heroine, an eccentric or not so eccentric scientist, wonderful characters, a bundle of smiles and witty banter, true love, and much more! There is really something for everyone!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.Reviews Resurrection by Jennifer HartzMountain Solo by Jeanette IngoldOther PostsBook Quiz of Confessionals, Pet Peeves and ShelfiesTop Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

Today I'll be leaving for Tennessee! Where I hope to have lots of fun and get at least a little reading done! I have scheduled a few posts for while I'm gone, and I'll be able to reply to any comments as well.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where you show what books you got during the week.
I got so many great books this week!Received from AuthorResurrection by Jennifer HartzThe Word Changers by Ashlee WillisEvacuation by Jennifer Hartz

What I Received from Netgalley
Stuck Together by Mary Connealy
The Healers Touch by Lori Copeland
The Amish Blacksmith by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner
The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis
Model Undercover: Paris by Carina AxelssonWhat I Bought (ebooks on sale Sale)Finding June by Shannen Crane CampChasing June by Shannes Crane CampThe Romeo Club by Rebekah L. Purdy